THE Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan, Iloilo is the first hospital in the country to avail of the solar energization project under the Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (Dreams) Project of the Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The project was launched on Wednesday, April 6, through a switch-on ceremony and memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing spearheaded by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., UNDP representative Dr. Selva Ramanchandran, DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) chief Engr. Gaspar Escobar Jr., IPH chief Dr. Albert Cordero, and Iloilo II Electric Cooperative (Ileco 2) general manager Engr. Jose Redmond Roquios, among others.
Gendiesel Philippines Inc. was awarded the contract to build the project for the duration of 90 days. Solar panels will be installed on the rooftop of certain structures inside the IPH compound.
DOE-UNDP-GEF allotted P5 million for the project, while the Iloilo Provincial Government allotted a counterpart fund of P1.8 million.
Once completed, it is expected to produce 75 kilowatts (KW) installed renewable energy generation capacity for the use of IPH.
Cordero said the project will provide dependable uninterrupted power supply to IPH critical areas such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Room (ER) and Delivery Room (DR) Complex and the IPH Molecular Laboratory.
He added that with the project, IPH could also generate a savings of P1.3 million to P1.5 million annually, which is beneficial to the Provincial Government.
Cordero noted that in 2021, IPH consumed a total of 776 kilowatt hours (KWH), which is equivalent to P6.1 million electric bill.
He acknowledged former Provincial Administrator Suzette Mamon for initiating the project two years ago.
Defensor thanked UNDP and DOE for the realization of the project and he committed to take good care of it so that it will last long.
“This project signals our transition in the use of our facilities for renewable energy,” Defensor said, adding he looks forward for more partnerships with the DOE and UNDP in the future.
Defensor noted that aside from savings on power consumption the use of renewable energy also contributes to climate change mitigation efforts.
Escobar noted that they are localizing the implementation of the Renewable Energy (RE) Law in Iloilo through the IPH Solar Project.
“This (project) is very promising, we are not only giving power that is not coming from the grid on the healthcare system but we also wanted to expand it to other sectors like the private buildings here... this is an example that we wanted them to replicate,” Escobar said.
Board Members Rolly Distura and Ramon Sullano with Pototan Mayor Enrique Lazaro along with the chiefs of the other district hospitals in the province also attended the event. (PR)